UTEP did what it had to do Saturday afternoon — and did it with a flourish.

The Miners improved their Conference USA record to 4-1 and moved to 14-6 on the season by sweeping past UTSA 81-62 as 8,692 appreciative fans served as witness in the Don Haskins Center.

The early going was just a bit of back-and-forth ... just a modicum of tension. But the Miners pulled away to a 39-27 halftime lead and were gone, never again checking the rear view mirror. UTEP coach Tim Floyd, picking up his 400th collegiate coaching victory, was able to do something he usually cannot do — substitute liberally, manage minutes.

REPORTER

Bill Knight

"A lot of good things happened today," Floyd said.

Naturally, Floyd went on to point out a number of defensive accomplishments, offering high praise especially for Julian Washburn. The 6-foot-8 Washburn was guarding a point guard for the third straight game.

"I don't think people realize how difficult that is," Floyd said. "Julian Washburn played well, very well in all areas."

Washburn, who had 19 points, three assists and nary a turnover, smiled and said, "For some reason, I enjoy guarding a point guard more than an inside player. I like to heat people up coming up the court."

And just how efficient was Washburn on the other end of the floor? He scored 19 points, missing just one shot, going 6-of-7 from the field.

Advertisement

But this matinee was a show for many stars.

Floyd said, "C.J. (Cooper) is out of his funk. He played well. John Bohannon had one field goal in the first half but he doesn't get outside himself and came back in the second half and had a very good 10 minutes. Vince Hunter created offense out of defense. He is beginning to realize he can do that."

The Miners had four players scoring in double figures — Washburn with 19, Hunter and Cooper with 15 each and Cedrick Lang with 12. Bohannon could have joined the double digit club, too. He came up with a steal near mid-court, dashed down the floor with no one in his path and unselfishly tossed a float pass to Washburn for the soaring dunk. Bohannon had eight points, three assists.

Of course, there was another key statistic on this sunny Saturday afternoon. The Miners are short on depth and usually play a tight rotation, everyone playing 30-35 ... sometimes even 40 minutes.

"I was happy we were able to get Hoop (Hooper Vint), Tevin (Caldwell), Jake (Flaggert) and Aaron (Jones) extended minutes," Floyd said. "We're going to need those guys and there is no substitute for game action."

Cooper played 30 minutes at the point. But none of the other Miners played more than 25 minutes. Flaggert got 19 minutes, Vint, 15, Jones nine minutes and Caldwell eight.

Echoing Floyd's sentiments, Washburn said, "It was great. A lot of guys needed playing time and they got it. I'm glad we were able to build a big lead and let Aaron and Tevin get minutes. We're going to need everybody."

The Miners continued to show good ball movement and, more importantly, continued to play defense and rebound. UTEP outrebounded UTSA 34-27 and would have held the Roadrunners below 60 points had it not been for a late couple of 3-balls.

"We have a height advantage on most of the teams we play so we try to pound the paint," Bohannon said. "Everybody has been unselfish. It's great. We move as one right now. Everything we do is as one."

The Miners came out as one, took care of business and even got the game minutes to work in their favor ... all the while sending UTSA back to San Antonio with a 2-3 conference record, a 6-12 overall mark.

Next up is Louisiana Tech, a Thursday night two-step with Floyd's alma mater. And so Floyd will go after his 401st victory against his old school, right there in the Haskins Center.

Nothing is ever a given and Louisiana Tech will be a big challenge. But Floyd knows one thing after 400 wins.

"As long as we continue to play inspired on defense, we have a chance," he said.